Code of Practice
NCMA press office (16/03/10)
The DCSF has released a new Code of
Practice which outlines delivering the free entitlement.
The Code of Practice for Local
Authorities on Delivery of Free Early Years Provision for 3 and 4
Year Olds outlines how local authorities should work to ensure that
all childcare providers have an equal opportunity to deliver 15
hours of free provision to children aged 3 and 4.
NCMA worked closely with the
Government when developing this Code, attending a number of
meetings and responding to the Government in writing about the
Code. Read about
NCMA's involvement
here.
NCMA worked hard on behalf of all
childminders to ensure the Code strongly recommended that all local
authorities established networks for registered childminders where
this is not currently an option. This would help ensure that all
families have an equal choice about which childcare setting - or
settings - they wished to use to access their free 15 hours of
early years provision.
Catherine Farrell, Joint Chief
Executive of NCMA said: "NCMA welcomes the Government's expectation
that all local authorities across England will establish networks
for registered childminders as part of the Code of
Practice. NCMA will work closely with the Government to ensure
this is an immediate priority, particularly in those areas where
there is not currently a network.
"We are especially pleased that regard has been made to the
excellent examples of partnership working that so many registered
childminders on quality improvement networks already provide. NCMA
believes that it is vital that home-based childcare is a key
component in all local authority's childcare sufficiency plans and
that families have a full choice of high-quality free childcare in
their community."